FIRST PERIOD WOES TOO MUCH TO OVERCOME FOR PENS

A bad start doomed the Penguins last night as they dropped a Metro Division game to rival Washington.   Paul Steigerwald has the recap.

In addition to the Crosby and Guentzel goals, Rickard Rakell scored for the Pens, who pulled goaltender Tristan Jarry in favor of Alex Nedeljkovic after the Caps’ third goal.

Coach Mike Sullivan said the blame for the sluggish start doesn’t fall on Jarry’s shoulders.

Alex Nedeljkovic says the Penguins were just too slow to react to the Caps’ energy in the first period.

Rickard Rakell says the hole the Penguins dug themselves was just too deep.

The game featured the return to the lineup of forward Bryan Rust, who’d missed the previous ten games with an undisclosed injury.  Rust skated on Geno Malkin’s line rather in his customary role on Sidney Crosby’s wing.  He registered one shot, in the second period when Caps goaltender Darcy Kuemper made a great save after Rust jumped on a rebound in front of the net.  To make room for Rust on the roster, Vinny Hinostroza and Ryan Shea were sent to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and forward Matt Nieto was transferred from regular injured reserve to long-term IR, even though he has already missed the required number of games for long-term and can return at any time.

Penguins/Bruins happens tomorrow night on 92.5 FM U92.